St. Louis Food Truck owners who were killed during storms leaves 7 children

St. Louis -A 48-year-old man from St. Louis, who was killed when a tree bumped into a pickup in Missouri during the storm outbreak on Friday, Kentucky leaves a hole in his community that is overlooked the joy he brought through his laughter, love and delicious street corn.

Juan Baltazar drove his 16-year-old son Martine from school on Friday, May 16, when strong winds knocked over a tree on his Blue Ford F-2550 pickup. At least seven people were killed in Missouri When the storm and the tornadoes swept across the state, also in the St. Louis Area where to EF-3 Twister, with estimated winds to about 140 miles per hour, a miles tore through.

Photos show the mutilated truck after the storm that took place south of the fatal tornado.

Juan Baltazars Blue Ford F-2550 Pickup was crushed by a tree on May 16, 2025 in St. Louis.

(Kind permission: Baltzar family/Jennifer Hartley)

The outbreak of monstrous tornado kills dozens of Missouri, creates devastating damage

“It was his pride and his joy,” said Jennifer Hartley about the truck bought about 14 years ago. “He kept it up and since then it has been his baby.”

Hartley, Baltazar's ex-wife and mother of his 16-year-old son, said Fox Weather that he leaves seven children, including his 6-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son with his wife Rachel.

Juan Baltazar, right, and his 16-year-old son, 6-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son.

(Kind permission: Baltzar family/Jennifer Hartley)

“He still believes that he will come home,” said Hartley about the toddler, who does not fully understand that his father is gone.

Hartley said Baltazar was a great father of her son, and they “very nice” together.

“We created this great mixed, large family. We all celebrate our Christmas and our holidays together and birthdays,” she said.

Woman who was killed after the roof of the church roof during the Tornado strike in St. Louis

Baltazar also has four adult children in Mexico, where his mother is still alive. Because Hartley speaks Spanish, she was the one who informed many of his family members about his death.

“I had to inform everyone that he had passed and how it happened,” she said. “Your screams and screams will follow me forever.”

In addition to his family in Missouri and Mexico, Baltazar has a family in Ohio, Texas and Illinois. Hartley said he spoke to his children in Mexico every day and was always on the phone and had a check -up with family and friends.

Juan Baltazar, bottom right and his beautiful, mixed family.

(Kind permission: Baltzar family/Jennifer Hartley)

“There are thousands of people who come out and contact me and his wife, who tell all of their stories and how much he influenced their lives and how much he was still an active part of their life,” said Hartley.

One possibility of how many people could have met in St. Louis Baltazar was through his food. He founded the El Mandilon Food Truck and, unlike everything else in the Holzmais area. After making food festivals, he was given permission to lead the food truck everywhere in the area and has just been accepted on Doordash.

Baltazar's son is almost 17 years old and enjoyed working with his father on the food truck. Hartley said he had created the food truck to leave his son a legacy and teach him entrepreneurial skills.

Baltazar was also known for offering free corn at the end of a strenuous day.

“He loved giving people and making them happy. See a smile on the face,” said Hartley.

If he didn't have somewhere where he had to be, Baltazar would fish. Hartley said that even if he had five minutes, he would find a place that would appear and fish.

Juan Baltazar loved fishing when he had a free moment.

(Kind permission: Baltzar family/Jennifer Hartley)

The family was everything for Baltazar who always let his children know that he was proud of them.

“He never let him go for a day without knowing how loved he was,” said Hartley about her son. “He always appeared with a hug and was always with a hug.”

Hartley and her husband lead a Gofundme donation campaign for Baltazar's wife and children. The couple recently bought a house with a mortgage that now has to be covered by a single income. Donations can take place here.